Device for processing photographic prints



y 2, 1962 R. L. DOOP 3,035,500

DEVICE FOR PROCESSING PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTS Filed Dec. '7, 1959 "L ZL INVENTOR. RUSSELL L DooP AGENT United States Patent G 3,035,500 DEVICE FOR PROCESSING PHOTGGRAPHIC PRINTS Russell L. Doop, 1315 Pepper Tree Lane, San Bernardino, Calif. Filed Dec. 7, 1959, Ser. No. 857,697 4. Claims. (Cl. 95-1) The present invention relates to a device for processing the photographic prints obtained from cameras of the type which produce finished prints within a minute or so of the time of exposure. Such cameras are known at the present time by the name of Polaroid-Land, and have become quite popular because of the convenience of providing immediate prints at the time of taking.

The slightly damp print, which is peeled out of the camera back has a strong tendency to roll into a cylindrical curl, and in order to flatten the same, it is necessary to pull the back of the print over a sharp edge, such as the edge of a table top or window, the back of a knife, or the like. The disadvantages of handling the print in this manner are that it is practically impossible to avoid fingerprinting the edge of the print opposite the pull tab, and a considerable amount of trial and error is sometimes necessary to get a flat print owing to such variables as the tension applied to the print, the amount of curl in the print, and the radius of the edge over which the print is drawn. Also, there are times when it is impossible to find a suitable straight edge over which the print may be drawn, with the result that the print must be further handled while it is still curled, and may dry into such a tight curl that it is diificult to flatten later.

After the print has been flattened, it is desirable to coat the same immediately with a liquid preservative that preserves the prints clarity and prevents the print from turning yellow and fading. Coating the print is at times a messy job and due to the necessity of coating the print completely from edge to edge, it usually necessitates smearing the supporting surface around the edge of the print. Also, there are times when it is virtually impossible to find a suitable working surface, as when pictures are being taken out-of-doors or under dificult conditions.

The present invention overcomes these disadvantages, and its primary object is to provide a new and improved means for flattening photographic prints of the class described, and holding the same while a liquid preservative is applied thereto.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of this class which affords a convenient storage place for holding the finished prints in a flattened condition, well protected against damage and soil, until the prints can be removed to a more permanent place of storage.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of two illustrative embodiments thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the invention, showing the print held at its ends between two clamps;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the same, showing a pivoted bail in the process of being swung over from one end of the base to the other, which bends the back of the print around a relatively sharp edge and thereby removes curl from the print;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken at 33 in FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 4 is a transverse sectional view taken at 44 in FIGURE 2.

In the drawings, the device of the present invention is designated in its entirety by the reference numeral 36, and comprises an elongated, generally rectangular block 3,035,500 Patented May 22, 1962 31 having a fiat top surface 32 over which the print is stretched during the flattening operation, and downwardly sloping ends 29. The body 31 is provided with a storage compartment 33 for finished prints, and one end of the body 31 is open to permit insertion of the prints into the compartment 33. A sliding cover 34 provides a closure for the print storage compartment.

Mounted on opposite ends of the body 31 are two spring clamps 35 and 36, which are adapted to grip opposite ends of the print P, as shown in FIGURES 1 and 2. Clamp 35 is rigidly secured to one end of the body 31, while clamp 36 is attached to one end of a spring 40, which is anchored at 41 to the underside of the body 31. The spring 40 lies within a slot 42 in the underside and end of the body 31, and provides a yieldable spring attachment for the clamp 36, so that the latter can allow the end of the print P to be pulled up from its normal position when the print is bent upwardly, as shown in FIGURE 2.

Pivoted on the sides of the body 31 intermediate the ends thereof is a U-shaped wire bail 43, the center portion 44 of which extends transversely across the top of the flat surface 32 underneath the print P. The ends of the bail 43 are bent inwardly, and are received within sockets 45 in the sides of the body 31.

To flatten the print P, its ends are gripped by the clamps 35, 36, so that the print is stretched face up, flat across the top surface 32 of the body, while the center portion 44 of the bail lies adjacent to the clamp 36. The bail 43 is then swung up and over to the other end of the surface 32, which causes the center portion 44 to travel from one end of the print P to the other, bending the print backwardly as it does so. This reverse bending of the print by the wire bail 43 produces a reverse curvature in the print, which counteracts the normal curling tendency and leaves the print flat. The preservative coating fluid is then wiped on the face of the print while it is still held I by the clamps 35, 36, and the print is allowed to dry. Since the print does not have to be gripped between the thumb and fingers while being flattened, the likelihood of fingerprints is eleminated. When dry, the finished print may be stored in the storage compartment 33.

The device of the invention provides a convenient and handy means of flattening the prints without handling the edges of the damp prints and without requiring careful judgment as to the amount of tension to be applied to the print or the radius of the edge over which the print is bent. Further, the device provides an always accessible and conveniently arranged supporting surface for holding the print while the preservative coating fluid is being applied to the surface thereof. Finally, the device of my invention provides a convenient and handy storage compartment for holding the finished prints flat and safe from soil or damage until the roll of film has been used up.

While I have shown and described in considerable detail what I believe to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art, that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

I claim:

1. A print processing device comprising an elongated base having a print supporting surface intermediate the ends thereof, yiel dable gripping means engageable with the ends of a print and applying spring tension thereto, and means pressing upwardly against the side of said print adjacent said print supporting surface and movable from one end thereof to the other, said means being operable to bend the print backwardly so as to flatten the same.

2. A print processing device comprising an elongated base having a flat working surface on one side thereof, a

clamp fixedly attached to one end of said base and adapted to engage one end of a print, a second clamp adjacent the other end of said base and adapted to engage the other end of said print, a spring yieldably connecting said second clamp to said base, and print flattening means engageable with the back side of said print and movable from one end thereof to the other, said print flattening means being operable to raise said print from said Worki-ng surface against the tension of said spring and bend said print backwardly so as to flatten the same.

3. A print processing device as defined in claim 2, wherein said print flattening means comprises a U-shaped bail pivoted on said base intermediate the ends of said print, the center section of said bail pressing upwardly against the back of said print as it swings over from one end thereof to the other, thereby raising said print from said Working surface against the tension of said spring and bending said print backwardly to flatten the same.

4. A print processing device as defined in claim 3, wherein said base is provided with a storage compartment to receive and hold finished prints in a flattened condition.

References (Iited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,958,721 Scott May 15, 1934 2,908,025 Ashby et a1. Oct. 13, 1959 2,949,840 Schlueter Aug. 23, 1960 2,969,766 Distel et al Ian. 31, 1961 

